VOORHEES, N.J. \u2014 Danny Briere had to like what he saw in Alex Bump’s NHL debut.<\/p>\n
Because it sure was timely.<\/p>\n
Just a day after the general manager mentioned his team having “a lot of good, young players” on the way, Bump scored his first career goal in his first career game.<\/p>\n
Not a bad start.<\/p>\n
“I think he’s definitely a part of the future,” Sean Couturier said the next day. “He played great last night, his first game. I’m happy he got his first goal, it was a nice goal. He’s a young, promising player and exciting to watch in his first game.”<\/p>\n
The 22-year-old Bump wasn’t the only youngster to make an impact in the Flyers’ 4-3 shootout win<\/a> last Saturday night over the Penguins. Nikita Grebenkin, also 22, made a sharp read and pass to set up Bump’s goal. Denver Barkey, a 20-year-old rookie, scored a goal off an impressive feed from the 21-year-old Matvei Michkov. That tied the game at 3-3 after Bump drew the Flyers even at 2-2.<\/p>\n Thought the assist by Nikita Grebenkin on Alex Bump’s first career goal was really impressive. <\/p>\n Can see him take a quick peek to locate Bump and then he threads the needle on a pass off the back boards. pic.twitter.com\/gvOsY3QdN2<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) March 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n For the final quarter of the season, the Flyers have games that matter. Their chances at the playoffs are not strong, but they are in the hunt. That’s a good canvas for watching young players.<\/p>\n “The more pressure games we can play, it’s the development of the young guy,” Rick Tocchet said at morning skate Monday. “The nothing games, when you’re out of it, it’s hard to evaluate. I’ve been in that situation, even as a player, not very often, but where there are 10 games left and you’re way out of it and it’s hard.”<\/p>\n If the Flyers can beat the Rangers on Monday (7 p.m. ET\/NBCSP+), they would climb to within five points of the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot.<\/p>\n “This is a pressure game tonight, this is a game that you’re trying to win,” Tocchet said, “so those guys are going to feel the pressure, which is good. And get them out there in those reps.”<\/p>\n